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Byron Shire
June 6, 2026

Latest News

Cartoon of the week – 3 June, 2026

The Echo loves your letters and is proud to provide a community forum on the issues that matter most to our readers and the people of the NSW north coast. So don’t be a passive reader, send us your epistles.

Other News

Fund set up to help Chase Goldstraw’s family after tragedy

A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to help the family of a young father recently killed in a truck accident in Tweed Heads.

Potholes 

As a relatively regular visitor to this area I was astounded, on trips to Byron Bay, at the number...

Israel’s rehabilitation

Israel’s genocide of the Palestinians has not ended and it will not end before Israel officially renounces its intention...

Loss of amenity with new pool owners?

Byron Shire councillors recently decided – by a close margin – to hand over our two public swimming baths...

Minimum requirements were never meant to be aspirations

The Echo’s recent report (2 May) on Cr Elia Hauge’s proposal for a community assessment panel for the old Mullumbimby Hospital site contained a sentence that deserves more than a passing read.

Remembering the Peacekeepers

Last Friday a small group gathered at the Cenotaph in Mullumbimby to commemorate International UN Peacekeeper Day.

February 28, 2024

Byron Shire Echo issue 38.38 – February 28, 2024

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Local News | Comment | Letters | Articles | Soapbox | Crossword | Stars | Good Taste | The Good Life | Byron Arts & Industry Estate | Seven Entertainment | Gig Guide | Cinema | Echo Property | Property Business Directory | Service Directory | Classifieds | Community at Work | Sport | Backlash

In this Issue:

Genuine affordable pledge made by Council  

Byron Shire Council has publicly pledged that the first block of land it is acquiring under its Affordable Housing Contribution Scheme (AHCS) will be used for genuinely affordable housing

Incoming holiday letting rules discriminatory, say residents 

Byron Bay resident, Catherine Henniker, told The Echo she lives in one of the parts of the town that has been deemed ‘365 nights for short-term holiday lets’, under new state government rules to be introduced in September.

Western values

In a recent vote at the United Nations, the General Assembly adopted a resolution on the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, with 172 countries, representing 94 per cent of humanity, voting in favour and only four countries,...

Bluesfest puts the Brotherhood back together 

To say that a lot has happened since Brotherhood of the Blues last took the stage at Bluesfest in 2019 would be a pretty massive understatement.

Weekly fun run in Ocean Shores

A free community run in Ocean Shores is happening every Monday morning, and organiser Giovanni Ginocchio encourages everyone to get involved. 

Decline of naturism

The closing of the nude beach at Tyagarah can be seen as another step in the long decline of nudism. In the ‘60s and ‘70s naturism flourished in Australia but several factors have diminished it. In those days of people...

On Wallum

We seem to rely way too much on Byron Council and councillors to have the knowledge or expertise in assessing developments like Wallum in Bayside, Brunswick. Nor will Council or councillors take responsibility for these poor decisions. I have asked...

Byron influencers

I'd love to know the fashion swimwear evolution for the Bundjalung people swimming at Tyagarah, 60,000, 50,000, 40,000, 30,000, 20,000, 10,000 and 250 years ago! Raphael Lee Cass, Byron Bay

Editorial – Grab the popcorn and bean bags

Both Mayor Michael Lyon and fellow councillor, Mark Swivel, offered an apology to the followers of the Save Wallum Facebook page last week.

Incoming holiday letting rules discriminatory, say residents

Byron Bay resident, Catherine Henniker, told The Echo she lives in one of the parts of the town that has been deemed ‘365 nights for short-term holiday lets’, under new state government rules to be introduced in September.

The clean beach quest is on this Sunday!

Two local beach clean-ups, as part of Clean Up Australia Day, will be held in Bruns and Byron on March 3.

Time for marriage?

I have a huge dilemma that I thought your readers might be able to help me with. I never got married because I thought it was a way of tricking women into a life of subservience. But my problem now...

Floodplain fury

With the two-year flood anniversary being recognised this week, Council appears to be pushing on with its plans to seek approval from the state government for floodplain development in Mullumbimby. 

Native title holders defend Wallum DA endorsement

Leweena Williams, representing the Tweed Byron Aboriginal Land Council, told councillors at Thursday’s meeting that her organisation stands by their cultural assessment of the Bruns Wallum site, which is slated for urban development by Clarence Property.

eating money

Hijacking feminism, harming women

Surely the success of feminist activism is one of the most positive stories of our times. Just think of the limited options of our mothers, compared to young women today. 

Defacing artworks

Mullumbimby is a colourful place. We love all the events, workshops, activities and markets – it all adds to our diverse culture. What we don’t love is disrespect for the art and murals in the town. Event organisers and their...

Damning 2022 flood housing audit released for Northern NSW

A performance audit of how effectively, or not, the NSW government provided emergency accommodation and temporary housing in response to the 2022 floods has been released by the NSW Audit Office. 

Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox: We Need to Talk about Birth

Birth is magical. It is powerful and wild and beautiful and scary and miraculous. Until it’s not. When things go to shit, it happens fast and when your baby dies, your life is changed forever, but not in the way you were expecting.

Bulldozers

Council’s excuse for letting the bulldozers into the Wallum site is that it will lose in court and waste money (note: always money not the environment!). The Green movement historically won many times when the establishment was certain to win...

Gratitude for the ‘vagina’ events

This year I joined the V-day dance for the first time and I will treasure this sacred gathering for many years to come. To dress in red and join this enthusiastic group of women dancing their demand to be...

Clothing-optional at Tyagarah Beach

I am writing to object to Byron Shire Council’s intention to revoke the clothing-optional status of Tyagarah Beach. I grew up in neighbouring Ballina Shire and have spent many, many years visiting and enjoying Byron Bay. I continue this regular...

Everyone reads The Echo!

The Echo loves your letters and is proud to provide a community forum on the issues that matter most to our readers and the people of the NSW north coast. So don’t be a passive reader, send us your epistles.

Short film awesomeness

Flickerfest and iQ are back, Thursday to Saturday at the Mullumbimby Civic Hall. Go on a remarkable cinematic journey from global to local with 40+ of the very best short films from Australia, the world and our Northern Rivers...

Marching in with a bang!

Get your party pants on as Nudge Nudge Wink Wink marches in with a bang this Saturday. Arrive early and leave late! Two incredible guest DJs join the Cunning Stunts residents in the Shed.

Bangalow Film Festival starts next week!

Bangalow Film Festival is back for its fourth year and the full program is available in all its cinematic glory – and it starts next week. Grab the popcorn and settle in for exclusive world and Australian premieres of critically-acclaimed feature films, award-winning documentaries, beloved classics, plus masterclasses with industry experts, Q&A sessions, special guest encounters and surprise events.

Marooned yacht on rocks near Ballina

A local photographer has shot a marooned yacht at Flat Rock, in Ballina Shire. It's the second boat to be washed ashore in recent months

Echo celebrates 40 with awards night tomorrow

Tickets are selling fast! Come join a fun-filled night of community celebration – This Saturday (tomorrow) The Echo is set to mark its 40th year in style with a ’30s swing-era style party and community awards night featuring the dynamic sounds of the Melbourne Ska Orchestra.

Author Tristan Bancks follows up with Two Wolves sequel

Local author Tristan Bancks launched his new book for readers 10+, Raised By Wolves, at Byron Book Room last night (Thursday 4 June).

Lismore City Council recognised for environmental leadership at LG awards

Lismore City Council has been recognised for outstanding achievement in environmental leadership, resilience and community infrastructure at the 2026 LG Professionals NSW Local Government Excellence Awards.